Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 9, 2025

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

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Effects of Prenatal Stress on Behavior, Cognition, and Psychopathology: A Comprehensive Review

Aniket Jagtap1, Balasaheb Jagtap2, Rajlaxmi Jagtap3

  • 1Surgery, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND.

Cureus
|November 29, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Prenatal stress significantly impacts offspring behavior, cognition, and mental health through mechanisms like epigenetic changes. Early interventions and maternal support are crucial for mitigating these adverse developmental effects.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Prenatal stress is a critical environmental factor influencing early development.
  • Growing evidence links maternal stress during pregnancy to offspring neurodevelopmental and behavioral issues.
  • Understanding these links is vital for improving child health outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review the effects of prenatal stress on offspring behavior, cognition, and psychopathology.
  • To elucidate the underlying biological and environmental mechanisms.
  • To identify effective intervention and prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic literature review of studies investigating prenatal stress and its consequences.
  • Analysis of research on epigenetic modifications, HPA axis function, and neurodevelopmental alterations.
  • Examination of moderating factors influencing prenatal stress impact.

Main Results:

  • Prenatal stress is associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, emotional dysregulation, cognitive deficits, and increased psychopathology risk.
  • Key mechanisms include epigenetic changes, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, and altered brain development.
  • Maternal mental health, socioeconomic status, and social support significantly moderate these effects.

Conclusions:

  • Prenatal stress poses significant risks to offspring development, affecting behavior, cognition, and mental health.
  • Interventions focusing on stress reduction, maternal support, and early care are essential.
  • Prioritizing maternal well-being during pregnancy is crucial for long-term public health benefits.

Keywords:
behaviorcognitioninterventionsmechanismsprenatal stresspsychopathology

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